It wasn’t that long ago that I was checking last-minute gifts off of my list and (giving up on a good way to wrap oddly-shaped toys) hastily covering my son’s gifts in a mound of bows.

During the holiday season, there’s so much to do in such a small amount of time that it gets overwhelming. And then there are the cookies and treats that show up everywhere (hello, stress eating!).

As much as I love the Christmas season, it’s a relief to get back to a normal routine. But now that everyone has returned to work and school, there’s so much more that’s missing from our everyday lives than the lights, the food and the gift lists.

There seems to be fewer doors being opened for others, fewer friendly smiles and greetings in the hallways, less patience, less empathy and just a little less kindness in the world in general.

News channels have shifted back to stories of conflict rather than stories of hope.

The problems and struggles that we ourselves pushed aside for the holiday season were still there waiting for us when it ended.

The joy and wonder of Christmas seem to be in short supply come January, but that’s why Christmas isn’t meant to be limited to a single day!

The gift of a savior from our sins is something we should be thankful for every day.

Walking in Jesus’ footsteps and serving others, showing them kindness and patience and love is something we should strive to do every day.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

— 1 John 3:16-18

Now trust me, I’m not suggesting Christmas carols year-round. (It’s too late for me, we start thinking Christmas way too early in retail and I find myself singing “Let It Snow” in July.) But I am suggesting that the selflessness Jesus showed in coming to this world in the lowliest of forms is something we shouldn’t easily forget.

Come on in! We are imperfect women spurred on by God's perfect grace to share chatter that matters in a noisy world. Grab a cup of coffee & your favorite chair and draw inspiration from our adventures in thriving (or not!) in our walks of faith. We are certainly not perfect but we point to the One who is - Jesus.